“Oh, I’m going to see Snoop!” exclaimed Flossie, suddenly.

“So’m I,” added Freddie.  And in a moment the two children were bending over a basket which was in the seat with Dinah.  In the basket was Snoop, the big black cat.  She always traveled that way with the Bobbseys.  And she seemed very comfortable, for she was curled up on the blanket in the bottom of the basket.  Snoop opened her eyes as Freddie and Flossie put their fingers through cracks and stroked her as well as they could.

“I wish Snap was in here with us,” said Freddie, after a bit.  “I hope he gets a drink of water.”

“Oh, I want a drink of water!” exclaimed Flossie, suddenly.  “I forgot I was thirsty.  Mother, can’t I have a drink?” she went on.

“Oh, yes, dear.  I suppose so.  I’ll get it for you.”

“No, let Dinah get it so she’ll upset,” begged Flossie.

“I’ll get it for you, Flossie,” offered Freddie.  “Dinah might get hurt.”

“Dat’s de li’l gen’man,” said the fat cook, smiling.  “He lubs ole Dinah.”

“I love you too, Dinah,” said Flossie, patting the black hand that had done many kind acts for the twins.  “But I do want a drink, and you know you would look funny if you upset here in the car.”

“Yes, I spects I would, chile,” laughed Dinah.

“May I get Flossie a drink?” asked Freddie.

“You may both go down to the end of the car where the water-cooler is,” said Mrs. Bobbsey.  “The train is slowing down now, and going to stop, I think, so you won’t fall.  But be careful.”

Flossie and Freddie started toward the end of the long car, but their sister Nan, who with her brother Bert was a few seats away, went with them, to make sure nothing would happen.

“I’m not thirsty any more,” Flossie said, after having had two cups of cold water.

“No, but you will be in half an hour, I’m sure,” laughed Nan.  “Every one seems to get thirsty on a railroad journey.  I do myself,” and she took some water after Freddie had had enough.

The train now came to a stop, and Flossie and Freddie hurried back to their seat to look out at the station.  Hardly were they both crowded close to the window before there was the sound of shouting and laughing, and into the car came rushing a number of children.  With them were two ladies who seemed to be in charge.  There were boys and girls—­about twenty all together—­and most of them made rushes for the best seats, while some hurried down to the tank to get drinks of ice-water.

“I had that cup first!” cried one.

“You did not!  I had it myself,” said another.

“That’s my seat by the window!” shouted a third.

“It is not!  I had it first, you can see where I left my hat!  Oh, my hat’s gone!” a boy exclaimed.

“I threw it on the floor, I wanted to sit here myself,” said a big girl with red curls.

“Children!  Children!  You must be quiet!” called one of the ladies.